Where have the last 7 weeks gone...

I absolutely cannot believe how fast the last 7 weeks have flown by. I have tried to get on here and write quite a few times and have gotten about a paragraph down until I have to do something else. Life with a baby is never boring. Somehow I never quite find the time to sit down long enough to write down my thoughts. But here it is... finally after 7 weeks of motherhood... I absolutely love it! Let me back up to where I left off though.

The last day of work before I delivered (41w 2d).

I had so badly wanted to just go into labor on my own, but as the days just kept dragging on and on, I finally caved and decided to get induced after being 10 days past due. I ended up working right up until the day I delivered, which really helped pass the time.

July 27 - We headed to the hospital around 6:30am. I was so excited...in only a few hours (ha) I'd be holding my sweet baby girl for the first time. The Doctor broke my water at about 9am and started me on pitocin. Only being 1cm dilated, the day seemed to drag on.

Around noon, my contractions were getting very strong and painful and I got my epidural shortly after. Best thing ever! I was able to relax (for the most part) the rest of the day and enjoy my visitors while I waited for my body to hurry up and get things rolling. I feel so incredibly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life that love and care for me. With four baby showers, I received everything I could possibly need and more. Thanks to those of you who made this event so special for me and were there when I need you.

 After a very long and exhausting 13 hours, finally at 10:30pm Brynlee entered into this world weighing 8lb 5oz and measuring 20in. She was absolutely perfect!

It was the best feeling in the world to have her in my arms. She was so delicate and precious. It made the whole long, miserable pregnancy and labor sooo worth it.



The next few days is a blur. I guess it's what people call "survival mode". I slept when I could, tried to get used to the fact that Brynlee was no longer inside me and soaked up every minute.

Before I knew it, it was time to take Brynlee home. I was so ready to be leaving the hospital and be back in my own house, but at the same time, I was slightly overwhelmed at the thought that I wouldn't have a nurse to show up at my every call. On the way out of the hospital, our lovely nurse decided to cut off Brynlee's anklet before they disarmed the alarm and it locked down the entire labor and delivery. It was quite amusing watching the very large security guard come running up to check on things. If someone was really stealing a baby, I'm not sure he would've gotten there in time. It seemed that nobody knew the password to turn the alarm off. After about 10 minutes of waiting, they were finally able to turn it off and let us leave.

And what can I say... Is life with a baby everything it's cracked up to be? I think so, and maybe a little more. :) Yes, it can be challenging and exhausting at times, but so worth it. I've definitely had to adjust to alot of things, but we are figuring it out one day at a time. It definitely takes so much longer to do everything. I feel so blessed to have such a good baby. She hardly cries and loves to sleep, just like her mommy. :) Here is a real quick update on what we've been up to in the past 7 weeks...

1 week old

Our 3 year anniversary fell one week after I had Brynlee. My 2 wonderful sisters drove up from Chattanooga and hung out with me for the day, and then watched Brynlee for an hour so that I could go out to dinner with Brad. It was a little hard to leave her and I'm pretty sure I cried a little, but it was really nice to have an hour alone. 

2 weeks old

We went to Brynlee's cousin's 2nd birthday party and even managed to get a cousins picture with the grandparents.



3 weeks old



4 weeks old


 At 4 weeks, I packed up Brynlee and we headed down to Myrtle Beach for what was supposed to be a nice, relaxing vacation with my family. It turns out that vacations aren't as relaxing with kids. :) We still had a bunch of fun though! Brynlee got to meet her great-grandparents and learned that her great-grandpa is a complete nut. :)

5 weeks old

It was Brad's 26th birthday, and as the tradition has come about, we decided to go camping. Brynlee's first camping trip and she did great. We just chilled by the fire and whatnot.

6 weeks old


Despite the adorable distraction Brynlee can be, Brad has been working so hard and has gotten a promotion. Brynlee started to intentionally smile too. It's so cute!

7 weeks old

I'm back to work and trying to get used to that. It's nice to have a little break, but at the same time I miss her terribly and can't think about much else. That was a quick summary of the past 7 weeks in my life. Hopefully I will do better keeping up to date with all of the latest developments from a day in the life of a new mom. :)